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Ephesians 6:11

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Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Put on {G1746} the whole armour {G3833} of God {G2316}, that {G4314} ye {G5209} may be able {G1410} to stand {G2476} against {G4314} the wiles {G3180} of the devil {G1228}.

Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Commentary

Commentary on Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)

Ephesians 6:11 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter, marking the beginning of a crucial section on spiritual warfare. Following instructions on how believers should live in their homes and workplaces, Paul shifts focus to the unseen battle against spiritual forces. This verse serves as a command and a foundational principle for standing firm in faith.

Context

This verse is found in the final chapter of Ephesians, which transitions from theological exposition (chapters 1-3) to practical exhortations for Christian living (chapters 4-6). After discussing unity in the body, ethical behavior, and relationships within the household, Paul addresses the reality of a spiritual conflict that underlies the challenges believers face. Verse 10 sets the stage by urging believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, leading directly into the command to arm themselves.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Warfare: The core theme is the reality of a conflict not against physical foes but against spiritual entities.
  • Divine Equipment: Believers are not left defenseless but are provided with "the armour of God." This emphasizes that our strength and protection come from God, not ourselves.
  • Standing Firm: The purpose of the armor is to enable believers to "stand against" the enemy's attacks, suggesting resilience and steadfastness rather than offensive maneuvers initiated by humans.
  • The Enemy's Schemes: The verse highlights the deceptive nature of the devil's attacks, referring to his "wiles" or cunning methods.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the whole armour of God" translates the Greek word panoplia (πανοπλία), which refers to the complete suit of armor worn by a heavily armed soldier, particularly a Roman legionary of Paul's time. This imagery would have been very familiar to his readers. The term "wiles" comes from the Greek word methodeia (μεθοδεία), which means cunning, craftiness, or schemes – suggesting calculated and deceitful strategies employed by the enemy.

Related Scriptures

Paul elaborates on the components of this divine armor in the verses immediately following, detailing the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. The warning about the enemy's schemes echoes themes found elsewhere, such as in 1 Peter 5:8, which urges vigilance because the devil prowls like a roaring lion.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ephesians 6:11 is a call to acknowledge the spiritual dimension of life's struggles. It reminds us that opposition may not always be merely human but can be influenced by spiritual forces of evil. The command is to actively "put on" the armor God provides through faith, truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, and the Word of God. This is not a passive concept but requires intentional reliance on God's resources to withstand the temptations, deceptions, and attacks aimed at undermining faith and hindering God's work in and through us. Standing firm means resisting the enemy's pressure and remaining rooted in Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4 (96 votes)

    (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

  • Romans 13:12 (74 votes)

    The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

  • Ephesians 6:13 (61 votes)

    Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (60 votes)

    But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

  • 1 Peter 5:8 (55 votes)

    ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • 2 Corinthians 2:11 (41 votes)

    Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

  • Ephesians 4:14 (35 votes)

    That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;